FOOTREST
Disclosed is a footrest for a handrail. The footrest includes an attachment portion configured to receive the handrail. The footrest further includes a vertical offset portion and a foot receiving portion.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/793,364, entitled “Footrest for Handrails”, filed Apr. 20, 2006, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference herein.
FIELDThe present embodiments relate to a footrest, and in particular, to a footrest for use with a handrail.
BACKGROUND INFORMATIONIndividuals in hotels, apartments, or cruise ships often desire relaxation on the balcony during pleasurable weather conditions. Many times the confines of the balcony will not permit the use of traditional footrests or ottomans because space is at a premium. Prior methods of providing footrests include the use of additional furniture and/or use of a railing itself. However, where space is at a premium, ottomans or ottoman-like furniture is not convenient. Moreover, users may be tempted to place their feet directly on a railing or handrail which may over time damage the handrail paint or structural integrity, making the handrail loose or wobbly.
By offering users a simple footrest without utilizing precious floor space, users will be able to enjoy greater relaxation year round. The embodiments described hereinafter were developed in light of these and other drawbacks.
SUMMARYDisclosed is a footrest for a handrail. The footrest includes an attachment portion configured to receive the handrail. The footrest further includes a vertical offset portion and a foot receiving portion.
In another embodiment, a footrest for a handrail is disclosed where the footrest is for use by a user. The footrest includes an attachment portion for holding the footrest on the handrail. The footrest also includes a foot receiving portion configured to receive at least one of the user's feet and a vertical offset portion connecting the foot receiving portion with the attachment portion.
In yet another embodiment, a footrest for a handrail includes a means for hanging the footrest upon the handrail and a means for receiving a foot.
A footrest is disclosed for use with a handrail. Although discussed herein for use with a handrail, the footrest may also be used with other stationary objects, such as fences, walls, etc. The footrest provides a user with a convenient place to rest their feet. Moreover, the footrest is easily transported and set-up to be affixed to a handrail that the user may be looking through while relaxing. In general, the footrest allows consumers to utilize confined areas for rest and relaxation where otherwise a footrest is not available, or a footrest would be too large for the space.
The footrest may be configured in a way that provides for a light weight and collapsible structure. Thus, a user may travel with the footrest and easily store the footrest during inclement weather, as well as selectively use the footrest at home. Some example applications include a residential balcony, where space may be limited. Other places of use include hotel or apartment balconies, boat and porch decks, and virtually any other location having a handrail.
One example of a footrest is configured to hang from or affix to the top of the handrail. It can be manufactured as a fixed and/or a removable device that is adjustable for both the handrail size (e.g., the width of the handrail), as well as the footrest height based on the handrail height. In an example, the footrest may be hooked or affixed over the top of a railing and will hang down about ten inches (10 in.) to about eighteen inches (18 in.) and an approximate width of about fourteen inches (14 in.). However, other dimensions may be used based on the railing dimensions, method of affixing to the handrail, or the desired width of the footrest.
Vertical offset portions 220, 222 connect attachment portion 210 and foot receiving portion 230. The length of vertical offset portions 220, 222 is selected for comfortable feet-up seating by a user. Vertical offset portions 220, 222 further include cross-members 240, 242 for adding stability and structure to footrest 200. As discussed below with respect to
As shown, foot receiving portion 230 is made of a cloth or fabric surface which allows for a user to comfortably rest their feet. In an embodiment, foot receiving portion 230 is about twelve inches (12 in.) wide and is of a depth that allows a user to lay their feet across it horizontally (e.g., where the back or side of the leg, as well as the back of the heel are in contact with foot receiving portion 230). The large area of foot receiving portion 230 provides the user with a wide range of comfortable positions, as well as providing footrest space for multiple people.
The cloth or fabric may be weather resistant to provide for long life and aesthetic beauty. In other embodiments, foot receiving portion 230 may be offered with padding for additional user comfort. Foot receiving portion 230 includes loops at either end that are received by footrest extensions 232, 234 that extend away from vertical offset portions 220, 222, Footrest extensions 232, 234 may also include caps (e.g., plastic or rubber) that close any open end that may be present. However, other configurations of foot receiving portion 230 may use metal brackets or screws for attachment.
The present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to the foregoing examples, which are merely illustrative of the best modes for carrying out the invention. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that various alternatives to the examples of the invention described herein may be employed in practicing the invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims. The examples should be understood to include all novel and non-obvious combinations of elements described herein, and claims may be presented in this or a later application to any novel and non-obvious combination of these elements. Moreover, the foregoing embodiments are illustrative, and no single feature or element is essential to all possible combinations that may be claimed in this or a later application.
It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. Many alternative approaches or applications other than the examples provided would be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reading the above description. The scope of the invention should be determined, not with reference to the above description, but should instead be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. It is anticipated and intended that future developments will occur in the arts discussed herein, and that the disclosed systems and methods will be incorporated into such future examples. In sum, it should be understood that the invention is capable of modification and variation and is limited only by the following claims.
The present embodiments have been particularly shown and described, which are merely illustrative of the best modes. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that various alternatives to the embodiments described herein may be employed in practicing the claims without departing from the spirit and scope as defined in the following claims. It is intended that the following claims define the scope of the invention and that the method and apparatus within the scope of these claims and their equivalents be covered thereby. This description should be understood to include all novel and non-obvious combinations of elements described herein, and claims may be presented in this or a later application to any novel and non-obvious combination of these elements. Moreover, the foregoing embodiments are illustrative, and no single feature or element is essential to all possible combinations that may be claimed in this or a later application.
All terms used in the claims are intended to be given their broadest reasonable constructions and their ordinary meanings as understood by those skilled in the art unless an explicit indication to the contrary is made herein. In particular, use of the singular articles such as “a,” “the,” “said,” etc. should be read to recite one or more of the indicated elements unless a claim recites an explicit limitation to the contrary.
Claims
1. A footrest for a handrail comprising:
- an attachment portion being configured to receive said handrail;
- a vertical offset portion; and
- a foot receiving portion.
2. The footrest of claim 1, wherein said attachment portion is configured to at least partially wrap around said handrail.
3. The footrest of claim 1, wherein said vertical offset portion further comprises at least two elongate members.
4. The footrest of claim 3, wherein said foot receiving portion further comprises:
- a portion of material between said at least two elongate members.
5. The footrest of claim 3, further comprising:
- at least one cross-member between said at least two elongate members.
6. The footrest of claim 5, further comprising:
- a hinge along said at least one cross-member, said hinge providing for the folding of said at least one cross member.
7. The footrest of claim 1, wherein said attachment portion is configurable for length.
8. The footrest of claim 7, wherein said attachment portion further comprises:
- an inner tube and an outer tube, said inner tube at least partially slidably disposed within said outer tube.
9. The footrest of claim 1, wherein said vertical offset portion is selectively configurable for a variety of lengths.
10. A footrest for a handrail, said footrest being for use by a user, said footrest comprising:
- an attachment portion for holding said footrest on said handrail;
- a foot receiving portion configured to receive at least one user's foot; and
- a vertical offset portion connecting said foot receiving portion with said attachment portion.
11. The footrest of claim 10, wherein said vertical offset portion is adjustable by said user to selectively position a height of said foot receiving portion.
12. The footrest of claim 10, wherein said attachment portion is configured to receive a handrail having a predetermined shape.
13. The footrest of claim 10, wherein said attachment portion and said foot receiving portion includes hinges for collapsing said footrest to a reduced size.
14. The footrest of claim 10, wherein said vertical offset portion further comprises:
- at least two elongate members; and
- a cross-member connecting said at least two elongate members.
15. The footrest of claim 14, wherein said cross-member further comprises:
- a first portion connected to a first elongate member of said at least two elongate members;
- a second portion connected to a second elongate member of said at least two elongate members; and
- a hinge connecting said first portion and said second portion.
16. The footrest of claim 14, wherein said a foot receiving portion further comprises:
- a surface strung between said at least two elongate members.
17. A footrest for a handrail, said footrest comprising:
- a means for hanging said footrest upon said handrail; and
- a means for receiving a foot.
18. The footrest of claim 17, further comprising:
- a means for collapsing said footrest.
19. The footrest of claim 17, wherein said footrest further comprises:
- a means for adjusting the height of said footrest.
20. The footrest of claim 17, wherein said footrest further comprises:
- a means for adjusting the width of said means for hanging to adapt to a handrail of a predetermined width.